Motivation....

One-day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

Finally, he decided since the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just was not worth it to retrieve the donkey. Therefore, the farmer invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed shovels, and began to shovel dirt into the well.

All the other farm animals were very upset about this, because the donkey was their friend. However, they discovered there was nothing they could do to help him. At first, when the donkey realized what was happening, he cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well, and was astonished at what he saw.

With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off, and take a step up on the dirt as it piled up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well, and trotted off!

MORAL:

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. However, each trouble can be a stepping-stone. What happens to you is not nearly as important as how you react to it. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not giving up!

Shake it off, and take a step up!

What is Bigger - Your Dreams or Your Excuses?

 

Raksha Bandhan (The bond of protection)

Raksha Bandhan, (The bond of protection) or Rakhi, is a festival primarily observed in India , which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. It is also called Rakhi Purnima in most of India . It is also celebrated in some parts of Pakistan . The festival is observed by Hindus, Sikhs and some Muslims. The central ceremony involves the tying of a rakhi (sacred thread) by a sister on her brother's wrist. This symbolizes the sister's love and prayers for her brother's well-being, and the brother's lifelong vow to protect her. The festival falls on the full moon day (Shravan Poornima) of the Shravan month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. It grew in popularity after Rani Karnavati, the widowed queen of Chittor, sent a rakhi to the Mughal emperor Humayun when she required his help.

 

Historical occurrences and mentions:

Santoshi Ma, Krishna and Draupadi, King Bali and Goddess Laxmi, Yama and the Yamuna, Alexander the Great and King Puru, Rani Karnavati and Emperor Humayun

 

Other festivals on this day: In southern & Central parts of India including Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Orissa, this day (i.e. Shravan Poornima day), is when the Brahmin community performs the rituals of Avani Avittam or Upakarma. Balarama Jayanti, Rakhi Purnima, Gamha Purnima, Narali Purnima, Jandhyam Poornima, Kajari Purnima, Pavitropana, Jhulan Purnima, Poonal/Jandhya Poornima/ Janyu,